StyrbjornSterki wrote:Here's a short video of some of the action from this past weekend's UFC PPV. FF to the 1 minute mark to watch Mighty Mouse Johnson's amazing finish of Ray Borg. He suplexes Borg and while Borg is in free-fall, and focused on bracing for the impact with the mat, Demetrious is focused on getting control of his left arm. And the finish is pure Ronda Rousey (wonder if she's been coaching him?). Not only did he set the record for the most successful consecutive title defences, he did it by premiering a heretofore unused finishing move. Which certainly doesn't bode well for anyone who covets his belt.

But I feel for Johnson. His fights are only good for about 200,000 PPVs, and there's probably 20 non-title contenders on Dana White's payroll who routinely draw more than that. Despite the potential for a record-setting performance, the gate for this weekend's card was the lowest for any UFC PPV ever held in that venue (I don't yet find any preliminary PPV estimates). At this point in UFC history, Mighty Mouse has a legitimate claim to GOAT, bit nobody cares. He made half a mil U$D for the win but the financial reward is proving less and less effective at preventing him voicing his exasperation over the lack of interest in the flyweight division. He reminds me of Russell Crow's character in the film "Gladiator," shouting to the crowd, "Are you not entertained?"

He is really entertaining to watch. I don't know why people aren't interested in the lighter weights since they are often better fights IMO.

I erred when I earlier wrote that Johnson received $500,000 for the fight. It was only $370,000, as per mmapayouts.com.

I think this explains a lot of it. I suppose some people go to auto races just to see the crashes. Some people go to fights just to see the knock-outs. Even bantamweight women score more knockouts than flyweight men (I ignored the featherweight and flyweight women on account of their number of total fights is statistically insignificant)..

Mods, I know I'm pressing my luck with this bit, but I thought it a grey area since I'm discussing a topic only tangentially related to PEDs, and probably is of negligible interest to anyone who doesn't frequent this thread.

This week the MMA blog-o-sphere went on the boil after Jeff Novitzky, who now is UFC's VP of Athlete's Health and Performance (I must've been asleep that day), made remarks which some bloggers interpreted as being a warning shot that Jon Jones might get off scot-free. Novitzky has clarified his remarks, stating, "...[P]ossible sanctions based on the findings of a completed case ranged from a multi-year suspension, to a minimal, or no-fault sanction, if an unavoidable ingestion of the prohibited substance was determined.”

StyrbjornSterki wrote:I erred when I earlier wrote that Johnson received $500,000 for the fight. It was only $370,000, as per mmapayouts.com.

I think this explains a lot of it. I suppose some people go to auto races just to see the crashes. Some people go to fights just to see the knock-outs. Even bantamweight women score more knockouts than flyweight men (I ignored the featherweight and flyweight women on account of their number of total fights is statistically insignificant)..

Mods, I know I'm pressing my luck with this bit, but I thought it a grey area since I'm discussing a topic only tangentially related to PEDs, and probably is of negligible interest to anyone who doesn't frequent this thread.

This week the MMA blog-o-sphere went on the boil after Jeff Novitzky, who now is UFC's VP of Athlete's Health and Performance (I must've been asleep that day), made remarks which some bloggers interpreted as being a warning shot that Jon Jones might get off scot-free. Novitzky has clarified his remarks, stating, "...[P]ossible sanctions based on the findings of a completed case ranged from a multi-year suspension, to a minimal, or no-fault sanction, if an unavoidable ingestion of the prohibited substance was determined.”

StyrbjornSterki wrote:I erred when I earlier wrote that Johnson received $500,000 for the fight. It was only $370,000, as per mmapayouts.com.

I think this explains a lot of it. I suppose some people go to auto races just to see the crashes. Some people go to fights just to see the knock-outs. Even bantamweight women score more knockouts than flyweight men (I ignored the featherweight and flyweight women on account of their number of total fights is statistically insignificant)..

Mods, I know I'm pressing my luck with this bit, but I thought it a grey area since I'm discussing a topic only tangentially related to PEDs, and probably is of negligible interest to anyone who doesn't frequent this thread.

This week the MMA blog-o-sphere went on the boil after Jeff Novitzky, who now is UFC's VP of Athlete's Health and Performance (I must've been asleep that day), made remarks which some bloggers interpreted as being a warning shot that Jon Jones might get off scot-free. Novitzky has clarified his remarks, stating, "...[P]ossible sanctions based on the findings of a completed case ranged from a multi-year suspension, to a minimal, or no-fault sanction, if an unavoidable ingestion of the prohibited substance was determined.”

As long as any discussion remains factual and it doesn't move into speculation I don't see it being a problem.

mmapayouts.com is speculating UFC 216 sold 120,000 PPVs. Av! That is truly pathetic. There already were rumours that DW might scupper the flyweight division. His accountants can't be happy that Mighty Mouse took home $3 per each PPV.

King Boonen wrote:As long as any discussion remains factual and it doesn't move into speculation I don't see it being a problem.

Cheers! I saw it as more a statement on rules clarification rather than directly PEDs related. There undoubtedly are many twists ant turns yet to come in the Jon Jones drama, so I shall endeavour to limit comments of fact.

UFC president Dana White and Jones have had a rocky history. White once said that Jones would never headline another UFC event. Looking back on Jones’ career, White is disappointed by what could have been.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m mad at Jon Jones. We haven’t talked at all. (I’m) very (disappointed in him),” said White during an appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast. “I think he is the greatest of all time. If he had done everything the way he should have, he’d be a huge superstar. He might even be the heavyweight champion of the world.”

Jones faces a lengthy suspension for his most recent anti-doping violation and White was uncertain about Jones’ fighting future. When asked if he felt Jones would ever fight again, White was non-committal, but sounded dour.

“I think that he’s got to go through USADA and the California State Athletic Commission, but I think he’s gonna be in big trouble.”

His final six words tell the tale. DW has a pretty good record for forecasting calamity.

ESPN's Jim Lampley believes there will be a Mayweather-McGregor rematch because "there are enough suckers out there." He also believes "scam artist" Mayweather deliberately gave McGregor the three rounds he won on the judges scorecards. DW claims the original did a record 6.7 million PPVs.

Georges St Pierre opines that the UFC's new procedure for weigh-ins the day before the fight is "the worst thing they could do" because it encourages even more drastic weight cutting. I wonder if he's been reading my posts here?

But the day-before weigh-ins is half of the cure for drastic weigh-cuts. The other half is another weigh-in before the fighter can leave the dressing room to begin his ring walk. No one can afford to stay significantly dehydrated for an entire day.

ESPN's Jim Lampley believes there will be a Mayweather-McGregor rematch because "there are enough suckers out there." He also believes "scam artist" Mayweather deliberately gave McGregor the three rounds he won on the judges scorecards. DW claims the original did a record 6.7 million PPVs.

Georges St Pierre opines that the UFC's new procedure for weigh-ins the day before the fight is "the worst thing they could do" because it encourages even more drastic weight cutting. I wonder if he's been reading my posts here?

But the day-before weigh-ins is half of the cure for drastic weigh-cuts. The other half is another weigh-in before the fighter can leave the dressing room to begin his ring walk. No one can afford to stay significantly dehydrated for an entire day.

GSP clearly wasn't sitting on the couch during his four year hiatus. He looked good, but a few times you could tell that his body wasn't used to being hammered. Bis no tap!

Dillashaw got the belt back and now wants Johnson. That should be a good fight, but I don't see Dill winning. I wonder if they will fight for a belt or at a catch weight? If they fight heavy, Dill has a better shot.

StyrbjornSterki wrote:mmapayouts.com is speculating UFC 216 sold 120,000 PPVs. Av! That is truly pathetic. There already were rumours that DW might scupper the flyweight division. His accountants can't be happy that Mighty Mouse took home $3 per each PPV.

King Boonen wrote:As long as any discussion remains factual and it doesn't move into speculation I don't see it being a problem.

Cheers! I saw it as more a statement on rules clarification rather than directly PEDs related. There undoubtedly are many twists ant turns yet to come in the Jon Jones drama, so I shall endeavour to limit comments of fact.

No worries, it's actually the same rules that apply to the whole forum, just as an FYI. It's speculation that is an issue and belongs in the clinic. The line that is a little difficult is between forum user speculation and reporting of external speculation. I think external speculation on consequences of known doping offences (e.g. Jones gets popped and Rogan speculates on ban length) is fine. External speculation on who is doping but hasn't been caught (e.g. Rogan and Rutten talk about Bob Sapp's supposed doping) isn't ok as really it's just making an argument by proxy. That kind of thing would need to be in the clinic.

jmdirt wrote:

StyrbjornSterki wrote:The MMA News minute:

[Georges St Pierre opines that the UFC's new procedure for weigh-ins the day before the fight is "the worst thing they could do" because it encourages even more drastic weight cutting. I wonder if he's been reading my posts here?

But the day-before weigh-ins is half of the cure for drastic weigh-cuts. The other half is another weigh-in before the fighter can leave the dressing room to begin his ring walk. No one can afford to stay significantly dehydrated for an entire day.

Three words: Base line wight.

From what I remember GSP was a big welterweight back in the day with considerable reach advantage over Penn, Hughes, Newton, Trigg, Sherk etc. and was always talked about as a fighter who was likely fighting in a weight class below what his natural size would usually be. He was at least pushing the limits for a welterweight. I know that there has been the introduction of lower weight classes and that a few of the older welterweight fighters were really lightweights stepping up (dare I say that's why Hughes was so dominant..?) but I must admit I find GSP complaining about weight cutting fairly hypocritical. Happy to be corrected if my memory on that is wrong!

King Boonen wrote:... I must admit I find GSP complaining about weight cutting fairly hypocritical. Happy to be corrected if my memory on that is wrong!

I don't think it's a concern over fighter weight as much as it is GSP wanting to take issue with the UFC's decision making in general (DW's in particular). He still has unresolved issues in that regard.

Wow, what an ace event. Three title fights and three new champions. And I think Namajunas was the least expected of the lot of them, especially with the first round finish.

I'd always thought Bisping only won the belt on a fluke, a belief reinforced by his inability to finish pensioner Dan Henderson in his one and only successful title defence. Especially considering the four year layoff, I though GSP fair made 'The Count' look a piker. Apart the couple of times he misjudged Bisping's reach by about an inch or so, Bisping had nothing for him so long as they stayed on their feet. And Bisping looked like he'd forgot to practice takedown defence. Georges took no end of heat for failing to finish any of his last seven fights before he stepped away from the sport, and he hadn't finished anyone since BJ Penn almost eight years ago. And although he was 3-for-3 on takedowns against Bisping, it was his striking that set up the RNC. FightMetric gives GSP more punches landed in all three rounds, and more thrown in the 1st and 3rd. His significant strikes landed was higher by about 20% over all three rounds (Bisping spent most of the 2nd shadowboxing). So maybe this is a different GSP. GSP v2.

Dana says GSP gets Robert Whittaker for his first title defence, which seems odd to me because Whittaker is still on the mend from the interim title fight with Romero. And Whittaker only got the interim shot because Bisping was injured and unable to defend his title. Meanwhile, Luke Rockhold, who had had five consecutive finish wins prior to the loss to Bisping, and who I would argue by rights was due a rubber match title fight with Bisping, is fit to fight. GSP had to have his nose sewn back together so he undoubtedly will get a short medical suspension, but even if that extends until Whittaker is fit to fight, I still think Rockhold is deserving of the first shot at GSP.

Props to Big John for letting the fight continue through the flurry of unanswered elbows that GSP landed after he'd felled Bisping, allowing it to proceed to a clear conclusion. No doubt Mario Yamasaki would never have let it go that far. And add 10 points to Bisping's man-card for refusing to tap. I never thought him a legitimate title contender but I can't deny he is a true gamer and always comes prepared to bring it for 10 rounds. There is no questioning his heart.

On a humerous note, Demetrious Johnson wants $2 mil for his next fight. The problem with that strategy is his draw is too meagre. MMA Payout.com figures live gate plus PPVs at UFC 216, the setting for Mighty Mouse's record 11th conescutive title defence, only came to a bit less than $11 million USD. So Johnson thinks it's reasonable he should receive 18% of the event's gross.

Dana's response was expectedly "conciliatory:"

Listen, you can’t be in a position where you’re like ‘I want $2 million, f—k you, I don’t care what you make. I don’t care how much this thing sells, I just want $2 million.’

Yeah, returning after 4 years at a higher weight class and finishing the champion is just incredible, he has to be the greatest.

Benotti69 would add: even Lance couldn't do it . Yes KB I saw your post . No such talk. And from that prospective, GSP's stand on the issue is crystal clear btw. But to the point:

Bisping is way underrated. No bum beats Anderson Silva. Add to his credit Mayhem Miller (crazy...good), one on the Iron Dan of MMA , yes the guys who beat Fedor...that's not shabby at all. And the test of all tests when it comes to the testes: facing and going the distance against Wanderlei, that's bad@ss. Respect to Michael Bisping. And he's a nice guy too, who should never have fallen in the trash-talking trap...big minus for me.

Dana White is going to milk it, hope that GSP keeps winning until what I would personnally setup as GSP's next fight: versus Mc Gregor at 155. UFC's biggest payday, by a thousand miles. GSP can go down that much I believe (at least for the weight-in), be 165 on fight night...and kick the punk's derriere. It would be not even close.

Maybe GSP will say goodbye. There's a two-fight deal, I know, but if I were him, I'm Rocky Balboa, just smacked Nigel Drago, thank you very much...I'm the greatest. Wittacker? Meh...The End.

GSP has a neck injury. He caught an incidental elbow to the back of the neck in the first round. So he'll be out for an indeterminate period, but neck injuries being what they are, he could be done. So Whittaker might get yet another interim belt match.

Anderson Silva has been popped for PEDs. Again. USADA gave him an OOC on 26 October and it came back positive. Which scuppers his scheduled 25 November bout with Kelvin Gastelum. Spider tested positive for drostanolone and methyltestosterone after his UFC 183 bout with Nick Diaz in 2015 (and invoked the "contaminated sex pill" defence).

Isn't it odd that the only anti-doping agency that ever catches out the Brazilian fighters is USADA? Is everyone else asleep at the switch?[/rhetoricism]

If you haven't seen, "The Notorious" leapt into the cage at the end of the opening match of last night's Bellator 187 in Dublin, Ireland, which saw one of his mates KO his opponent (with a single second remaining on the clock). And he took umbrage when referee Mark Goddard (who hadn't yet completed his responsibilities to the downed fighter) told him to get the hell out of his cage. And McGregor pursued Goddard and shoved him from behind. A wee, dainty ceremonial shove, but he laid his hands on an official just the same.

McGregor had no credentials for the fight, wasn't a licensed cornerman, purely there a spectator. And he doesn't fight for Bellator, so there's no recourse there, but if might affect his ability to get a license to fight in his home country.

But what about the UFC? In 2014, Dana White unceremoniously threw Jason High out of the UFC for shoving referee Kevin Mulhall at Fight Night 42. After which DW was quoted as saying, “You don’t touch a referee ever. Unforgivable. Don’t come back, ever.”

So now we'll see whether DW is a man of his word or a believer in moral relativism.[/cynicism]

I knew some of the American Indian tribes were heavily invested in the gambling industry. Apparently, at least one of them -- the Mohegan tribe -- has branched out into combat sports regulation (who knew?). And they were the regulating body for Bellator 187.

American Indians, regulating an MMA event, in Ireland. Are you with me so far?

And as it happens, the chairman of the Mohegan Tribe Depart of Athletic Regulation (Mike Mazzulli) also is the president of the Association of Boxing Commissions, which is the big kahuna of all boxing and MMA commissions in the USA and Canada (to include the sovereign Indian territories therein). A man of considerable influence, to say the least. And he already has sent messages to all of his fellow ABC commissioners under whose authority McGregor is licensed to fight advising them of his misconduct. So Connor might have underestimated the blowback from his little display of exuberance.

And not one to let a good nickname go to waste, The Notorious already tweeted a big F-U! to Bellator, et Al (which he deleted shortly thereafter). So I'm thinking that he aspires to replace Jon 'Bones' Jones in his (former?) role as the UFC's premier train wreck in slow motion.

Bloody Elbow is reporting that Mike Mazzulli was told by UFC officials within two hours of the incident that McGregor was being pulled from the card at UFC 219 (30 December). Their quote from Mazzulli: “They did inform me that he was set to be on the December 30th card and he will not be on it. So I do commend UFC to some extent for doing that. On the other hand, I will be looking at it, I will be speaking to my attorney's upon returning to the United States to see if I have any action." (emphasis added)

Bellator announced that they have an 8-man heavyweight tournament slated for 2018, one bout at each of seven events. And the contestants will be Fedor Emelianenko, Frank Mir, Matt Mitrione and Roy "Big Country" Nelson, plus LHWs Ryan Bader, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Muhammed Lawal and Chael Sonnen. Glad to see Bellator continuing with the creative fight cards. Ditto for Fedor not retiring after the Rocky-ish finish to the fight with Mitrione.

There's also a rumour making the rounds that Chuck Liddell is considering a come-back. And despite his past ties to the UFC, if this comes to pass, I'd give even money he'll go with Bellator.

Bloody Elbow is reporting that an 18-year-old young woman in Perth, Australia, died making the cut to 64 kilos for a Muay Thai bout. She collapsed and died four days later from what the doctor called "heat exhaustion or heat shock." Her case has been referred to the coroner for investigation.

On a less somber note, Shane Carwin has told Scott Coker he wants in on Bellator's heavyweight tournament. But they need an even number of fighters to support the single-elimination format. If they let him in it could bring out other UFC pensioners like Mark Coleman and Randy Couture.